Decks with keywords/mnemonics ?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 20 Mar 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

NPMSteve	20 Mar 2005
Hi all, Recently I have found myself in a position whereby I may be able to acquire some paying clients for readings (Not entirely sure how I feel about taking money for readings, but the only way to find out is to try I guess, and it beats going back to the tedious daily grind of being a corporate code monkey, which is my usual profession) Anyway, this has raised for me a question over which deck I want to use with this type of querent. As a rule, I work with the Crowley/Harris deck (which I received as a gift from my beloved in 1998) One of the defining aspects of this deck is that each of the minor arcana has a single word (or mnemonic, pardon my odd language use, it has been informed by years as a computer geek) printed accross the bottom of the card. Having read some of the (excellent!) discussions regarding this that have previously taken place on the forum, I realise that many readers dislike these, but I have particular reason for favouring them, viz I am partially sighted, and so the keywords give me a useful toehold in approaching the cards, as I can use them as pegs from which to hang my knowledge of each card, which somewhat makes up for the slowness in acquiring the visual imagery of the artwork (especially if its dark!) This is not to say that I don't get as much (if not more) from the images themselves, in fact the artwork of the thoth deck often transcends the 'mundane' keywords, but the keywords defintely help me out a lot (IMHO) Ahem, somewhat rambly I notice, so I'll try and get to the point now! I've noticed that many of my regular current (non commercial) querents often go away from a reading using the working thoth deck somewhat cowed and quiet, and to be fair, this is one deck that really doesn't f*** about (when I first got into tarot, I poo poohed the idea that each deck you own and use develops a kind of personality of it's own, but I have come to grudgingly accept that this is the case, and after six years of using this one deck for all serious work, I know it's personality well, and while I respect it a great deal, it aint particularly fluffy, if you know what I mean!) The point, the point, there was one honest! Anyway, for my current situation, I am considering two options, viz : 1) Buy another Thoth deck, and use this for readings with clients instead of the one I now use (I'm leaning this way at the moment) 2) Acquire a completely different deck for use in this context If I were to acquire a completely different deck, I'd ideally like one featuring keywords/mnemonics on the minor arcana, and I'm particularly keen to avoid anything that merely shows (eg) six cups, or seven wands. So, I guess my question is, ("FINALLY", I hear you cry!), does such a deck exist ? I've been having a look through the excellent lists of decks (so far to no avail) that have been posted, but would love some input from the forums. I'm not to bothered about using a deck from a different tradition (My baclground in this is mostly Crowley/Golden Dawn/Western High Magick, etc), since as computer geek I'm used to picking up new/different systems quite quickly. I guess I'm a bit like Goldilocks really, I want a deck thats not TO fluffy, not TO harsh, but juuussssst right ! Is my search in vain ? Should I just get another thoth deck and try and convince it to be a bit fluffier than the one I work with now ? Thanks for any input, and apologies for the long rambling post ! NPMSteve '-)

Rusty Neon	20 Mar 2005
NPMSteve wrote: If I were to acquire a completely different deck, I'd ideally like one featuring keywords/mnemonics on the minor arcana, and I'm particularly keen to avoid anything that merely shows (eg) six cups, or seven wands. So, I guess my question is, ("FINALLY", I hear you cry!), does such a deck exist ? I've been having a look through the excellent lists of decks (so far to no avail) that have been posted, but would love some input from the forums. I'm not to bothered about using a deck from a different tradition (My baclground in this is mostly Crowley/Golden Dawn/Western High Magick, etc), since as computer geek I'm used to picking up new/different systems quite quickly. I don't know what your tastes in artwork are. However, to get the thread going, here are some quick ideas for decks, for discussion sake. (You might already be aware of them.) Napo Tarot deck Rider-Waite based images but with RW/Thoth/Golden Dawn keywords http://www.learntarot.com/nodesc.htm Gill Tarot Golden Dawn based keywords http://www.learntarot.com/gidesc.htm Tarot of the Spirit Thoth/Golden Dawn inspired keywords http://www.learntarot.com/spdesc.htm Osho Zen images on the pips RW inspired keywords http://www.learntarot.com/ohdesc.htm

NPMSteve	20 Mar 2005
Rusty Neon wrote: I don't know what your tastes in artwork are. However, to get the thread going, here are some quick ideas for decks, for discussion sake. (You might already be aware of them.) Napo Tarot deck Rider-Waite based images but with RW/Thoth/Golden Dawn keywords http://www.learntarot.com/nodesc.htm Gill Tarot Golden Dawn based keywords http://www.learntarot.com/gidesc.htm Tarot of the Spirit Thoth/Golden Dawn inspired keywords http://www.learntarot.com/spdesc.htm Osho Zen images on the pips RW inspired keywords http://www.learntarot.com/ohdesc.htm WOW! Really like the look of the Gill and especially the Osho Zen ones, thanks! As far as artwork is concerned, I would (for this context) like something that looks flash (good visual impact for clients), and yet (so picky!) is not overly complex (since I will probably be reading them in darkened rooms, with the clock ticking) Thanks loads for your input, and for taking the time to read my rambling post. Much love '-)

Rusty Neon	20 Mar 2005
NPMSteve wrote: and yet (so picky!) is not overly complex (since I will probably be reading them in darkened rooms, with the clock ticking) For that purpose, I guess the William Blake Tarot of the Creative Imagination is out then. :) http://www.wicce.com/wmblake.html Out-of-print but still available on www.abebooks.com through Ed Buryn, the deck creator.

similia	20 Mar 2005
I admit I'm one of the folks who is not too fond of the keywords on the Thoth, simply because a querent can get upset by the word, before you have a chance to explain the significance. (e.g. Ruin may show up in a hopes and fears position, however they will automatically assume there fears are going to come true etc...) It seems Thoth has a reputation as a blunt sort of a deck, so I guess there's not alot of point in trying a different printing/version of the same deck. Liber T is perhaps a suitably similar deck, http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/liber-stars-eternal/ but no keywords. My thought is if your anxious about charging, it might not be the best time to start with a new deck, especially if its a whole different type than what you're used too. With something like Liber T there are no keywords, but the artwork is similar enough to Thoth and you can likely remember the keywords from Thoth and apply them easily.

Khatruman	20 Mar 2005
NPMSteve wrote: One of the defining aspects of this deck is that each of the minor arcana has a single word (or mnemonic, pardon my odd language use, it has been informed by years as a computer geek) printed accross the bottom of the card. I actually like this word used for the "keyword" at the bottom of a card. There are many around here who do not like the word at the bottom of a card, and even go to the length of cutting their cards to get rid of them. I have always liked keywords. It may be that I am an English teacher, and writer, and I see many shades of meanings in words. Many feel that the keyword "limits" a card, but I think the well chosen ones can be illuminating, rather than limiting. Therefore, I like your use of a "mnemonic" for the keyword. The term mnemonic refers more closely to a trigger device that sets in motion a whole set of meanings. It is therefore a key that unlocks a world of meaning. Most focus on the "word" aspect of a keyword, seeing it as something that defines the card. I see it as a key, a mnemonic as you put it, that unlocks layers of meaning to a card. Thank you for that offhanded insight. Oh, and towards your question: I put a vote in as well for the Osho Zen. It is a wonderfully brilliantly colored deck, and is a little off-kilter and unlike other tarot decks. It is worth considering.

Sulis	21 Mar 2005
Personally I dislike keywords - I find it hard to get past them - this is one reason I can't work with Thoth; some of the keywords are just so negative. 2 decks I have with keywords that don't bother me are: Glastonbury - http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/glastonbury/ Merryday - http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/merryday/ Love Sulis xx

IDN	21 Mar 2005
Another deck with keywords (most of them the same or very similar to the Thoth) is the Haindl. Regards, Ian

NPMSteve	21 Mar 2005
Thanks to all for all the wonderful suggestions so far, some beutiful packs to excercise my avarice muscles ! I'll certainly be acquiring some of the mentioned decks in the near future, even if its just to add them to my collection '-)

Logiatrix	21 Mar 2005
Hi, Steve! The collector in me couldn't help but throw in some more temptation, LOL! Still keeping in mind your search, they all have keyword/mnemonics, and may even be of useful interest. :) This one is a personal favorite, but not to everyone's liking. I like the animal theme, and the keywords/mnemonics in this deck work for me... Animal-Wise: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/animal-wise/ The following two titles are decks with particularly unique art styles... Elemental: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/elemental/ Navigators of the Mystic SEA: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/navigators-mystic-sea/ And these next two offer well done photo-collage/CGI artwork, but each still has it's own style... Sacred Circle: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/sacred-circle/ Voyager: http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/voyager/ :D

Requiella	21 Mar 2005
To this discussion, I would add that the Sacred Circle deck, despite using keywords, features largely drama-less pips. There are nature scenes, but as you put it, I believe, most of the cards (the exceptions are the court cards) simply show seven swords, or whatever. OTOH, this deck meets the specification of being not too fluffy yet not too harsh. It's pagan-themed, if this matters.

The Decks with keywords/mnemonics ? thread was originally posted on 20 Mar 2005 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.